Feb 11, 2022·edited Feb 11, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Seeing that back on February 4th I discussed, in some detail, the dire consequences of not holding Trump and his coterie accountable, at least to the point of being subject to full-blown criminal investigation, today I write to add to Robert’s listing one more reason, about which we’re not hearing enough, for the steep rise in inflation. I refer here to bald-faced profiteering. To clarify, because currently we find that a mere handful of companies provide the goods that render some of the highest demand, there is no competition to keep prices in check. Hence, using the cover of inflation to drive up prices as high as they can, CEOs, in effect, are relying upon the already existing perception that inflation is political in order to be relatively confident that the public largely will project its ire onto Democratic leadership and thus miss a principal cause for rising prices, which relates to CEO’s pricing actions.
Profiteering is certainly adding to inflationary pressure. I don't know whether it is politically motivated. A simpler explanation is greed. but whatever the cause, i should add it to the list. I will next time.
Robert, Though politics, indeed, is not the principal motivator, the mere fact that mega-corporates are using the cover of inflation to drive prices as high as they can take them surely indicates they are not bothered by the consequences for current leadership.
Bingo! The other piece is that a deceptive term, "Decade-long Inflation", was tossed to the investing public, yesterday, during the min-selloff that followed the inflation report. NO economic trend lasts for a decade, especially in a time of global flux.
Gary, Agreed. Though I understand corporates are indicating to investors to expect record-breaking profits again next quarter and, furthermore, are messaging that they’re just getting started.
Not to mention the supply chain disruptions from the protests along the US/Canadian border fueled in part by a Christian fund-raising platform based in the US.
Kathy, Though I wasn’t aware the protesters were partially funded by a U.S. Christian funding source, it helps explain why these anti-vaccine mandate trucker protesters would oppose measures that are quite popular both in Canada and within Canada’s largest trucker’s union that denounced the protests.
Amen to this. Not only are CEO's using inflation as cover to drive up prices, they continue to receive excessive compensation with boards routinely and absurdly increasing direct compensation and stock option benefits, etc. We must address this as we listen to media inflation reports and turning a blind eye to price gauging.
John, Agreed. Additionally, you might recall late last year some savage sell-offs for companies that chose not to raise prices as high as they could have raised them.
Barbara Jo, actually I was not aware of companies doing so. Can you reference that bit of news I missed? Regardless, it does speak to how we cannot condemn broadly but must address the the inequity and injustice which so hampers our country’s value to lift everyone or, at least provide equal opportunity. Thank you.
“It’s going to be a pretty healthy pricing year to accommodate the cost increases.” — Hugh Johnston, the C.F.O. of PepsiCo
“We are expecting double-digit inflation in 2022, and the bulk of it is market-driven.” — Amit Banati, the C.F.O. of Kellogg
Appears that rather that trying to control inflation, many companies will take advantage of this moment to raise prices thereby adding to the upward pressure.
At the same time, I think those companies that continue to fund Republicans will use this opportunity to further destabilize the economy in an effort to take back the House and Senate this year.
As much as I don’t want the Feds to raise rates, the sooner they take action to cool the economy, the better.
Andrew, Here I would note that former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich opposes slowing the economy. The “medicines” he suggests include price controls, windfall profits taxes, and antitrust.
I was disappointed in Mueller. Garland is too much for any one liberal to take. The hypocrisy, no matter how extreme, doesn't bother the GOP, and the people we hoped would save us are sitting on their hands. It goes to show how one weak link can dash hopes. Who will save America from our domestic enemies?
When is your book coming out, Robert? May I offer title suggestions?
1. The Toilet Papers
2. I Can Shoot a Man on Fifth Avenue and Get Away with It
3. How I Saved America While Sitting on the Crapper
4. The Toilet Crapper Capper
Please, more suggestions. And any responses I ask permission in advance to use in a possible satire in The Funny Times. (I’m getting my Trump writer’s block lifted.)
Literally, I thought the boxes of papers to Mar-a-Lago was a Borowitz story along with the clogging toilets with papers. We are now accepting insanity. Are there no clear lines? Are we so exhausted, demoralized, numb? Five alarm fire is right.
The alarm has been going off for quite a while and it seems clear that, despite numerous investigations, nothing is being brought to a head. Garland needs to take some action or admit that he's not the person for the job and step down.
It is past time for Mr. Garland to step down or be removed. People don’t have confidence in him to hold the seditious insurrection it’s in chief accountable. Why should the little guys get charged and jailed and tfg and his henchmen walk free? We have never had a mob boss for a president before. The Republicans have thrown out all previous rules and norms. ENOUGH ALREADY!!! Investigate , bring charges, clear the orange putrescence or not. But damn it! Don’t just sit there.
Unless there's something afoot behind the scenes that will make up for this lackluster performance soon, I'd have to agree with you. The guy may or may not have been a good pick for SCOTUS, but some people end up in positions that are beyond their skills to deliver the goods from, no matter how well intentioned they may be. We're trying to put out this 5-alarm conflagration with a fire extinguisher at this point, and that's just not gonna' cut it!
Yeah, what we need is more work done in less time. If Mr. Garland, a seemingly earnest and decent sort, isn't capable of or willing to do that, he should be thanked for his efforts, and then given the boot in favor of someone more suited to present day challenges and needs.
More idiocy! Who besides a T——p is dumb enough to flush office paper down the toilet? I guess none of them has ever had to unclog one, or worry about paying the plumber’s bill. On another note, I am more and more mystified by the DOJ, which seems to be in thrall to the Death Eaters. We may have to add that agency to the Congress, The Supreme Court, and the DOD as agencies in need of reform.
As concerning as Trump’s complete disregard for requirements under the Presidential Records Act and lack of concern for common security of information passing through his office, Do Not Be Distracted by this from far more serious offenses. Under most administrations these would be grievous offenses. However, compared to the far more serious offenses committed by Trump, his close advisors and associates, and his administration this is comparable to simply bad table manners. Deflecting attention from more serious matters has long been a common tactic of DJT. Let’s keep the attention on what really matters and the far more serious offense of his efforts to overturn the results of a legitimate election, prevent the peaceful transition of power to a legitimately elected new administration, and his attempts not just to undermine but end our democracy.
Hi, Bruce you are right . . . Except that the public understands what it means to flush paper down a toilet. It screams guilt and it proves that Trump has never lifted a finger in his life to deal with the problems of life that many people face -- like clogged toilets. Despite the humor, a plumbing bill for unclogging a sewer line can be the difference between paying rent (or not) for many people.
So while I agree that Trump should be prosecuted NOW for extorting Urkraine, many people will parse words about what Trump said to Zelensky. There is no defense to putting documents in a toilet. So, if the public understands it, we should use it for all it is worth. In fact, I hope late night comedians, and the Onion, Borowitz, and meme generators across the globe are working overtime to make Trump seem like a clown who doesn't understand how toilets work.
OK, but please let's not forget the really important stuff. Section 3 of the 14th amendment does not provide for the prevention forever of holding any public office ever simply for clogging a toilet while attempting to flush documents that should have been retained by the National Archives, even if they were marked "top secret."
As with all things Trump, whatever we think we know, it always turns out to be worse. And Garland's actions - or lack of them - are an infuriating mystery to me at this point. I realize Biden can't ( well, he shouldn't and, unlike Trump, he won't) dial him up and say "Sick 'em". But come on! The DOJ under Democratic leadership is at this point leaving me with the same impression as I have of the Democratic Party as a whole...butter knife / gunfight. I hope something serious is going on there behind the scenes that will be revealed in time, but time is running out.
Garland, in an effort to do the opposite of his predecessor, wants to prevent the DOJ from the appearance of being politicized. That's just laughable on its face.
As you and others have repeatedly noted, allowing the orange scofflaw and his tribe of deplorables to continue their criminal behavior, or hide their past criminality, only encourages them. And as I said yesterday, it's time to drown the White House in calls, emails and postcards demanding that Biden either light a fire under Garland's pathetic ass or replace him with someone who, as you said, will do the job. Let's get busy, and tell everyone we know to do the same.
Feb 11, 2022·edited Feb 11, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
It is time—past time—for the DOJ to say whether it is investigating T___p for crimes. The Department owes that to the American people, and to TFG.
And it was a very, very good thing that Congress has moved to bar forced arbitration of sexual harassment cases. As a lawyer who represents employees in discrimination case, I can say that forced arbitration is a terrible impediment to equality in the workplace, and to justice. But now that one class of such cases has been barred to forced arbitration, we need to press Congress to preclude it for all other disputes (apart from those involving collective bargaining).
I propose this simple question to Tя☭mp the next time he is interviewed by any journalist.
“Please share with us the last book you read and your thoughts on the author’s main point in the book.”
I sincerely doubt Trump actually read himself almost anything that reached his desk unless it was an article complimentary to him. The man is close to being functionally illiterate. RUKM?
Why hasn’t Biden called Garland into the Oval Office for a behind-closed-doors “come to Jesus” meeting? He appointed the Attorney General—can’t he fire him? (It’s not like presidents have never dumped their AGs.) Adam Schiff was my dream AG appointment—Should’a, would’a, could’a.
I think the best course of action would be for Garland to share with the American people whether Trump and others are under investigation for crimes or not. It may not be appropriate to indicate at this time the specific crimes or not, just let us know something it happening. The most appropriate way to do this would be to announce the formation of a special grand jury to hear evidence and consider indictments. That process would be, as are all Grand Juries secret until an indictment is rendered. However, at least we would know that there is an active investigation and charges are at least being considered. I personally would also favor the appointment of a Special Counsel as well for the case. This is similar to what Bill Barr did when he appointed John Durham to investigate the Mueller Russian Probe. The protection afforded a Special Counsel could potentially protect the investigation's duration should there be a change of administration before the investigation is completed.
In normal times, there is no question that the president should not meddle in particular cases. But these are not normal times. Democracy is at stake. Trump never hesitated to tell Barr what to do. We face a ruthless adversary that has no principles. They are talking about impeaching Biden and jailing Hillary Clinton and Adam Schiff. We need to fight fire with fire.
Why not mention to your readers that they can write the DOJ about its inaction? That they can write Biden about it? I’ve just written both. Time to make our voices heard.
The only thing we can do is pressure Biden to fire Garland. So writing to Biden is the right thing to do. but let's acknowledge that Biden probably won't be able to get another AG through Congress anytime soon. Lujan is out for another month, and Manchin / Sinema have now revealed themselves to be DINOs. So finding a replacment will be tough.
Seeing that back on February 4th I discussed, in some detail, the dire consequences of not holding Trump and his coterie accountable, at least to the point of being subject to full-blown criminal investigation, today I write to add to Robert’s listing one more reason, about which we’re not hearing enough, for the steep rise in inflation. I refer here to bald-faced profiteering. To clarify, because currently we find that a mere handful of companies provide the goods that render some of the highest demand, there is no competition to keep prices in check. Hence, using the cover of inflation to drive up prices as high as they can, CEOs, in effect, are relying upon the already existing perception that inflation is political in order to be relatively confident that the public largely will project its ire onto Democratic leadership and thus miss a principal cause for rising prices, which relates to CEO’s pricing actions.
Profiteering is certainly adding to inflationary pressure. I don't know whether it is politically motivated. A simpler explanation is greed. but whatever the cause, i should add it to the list. I will next time.
Robert, Though politics, indeed, is not the principal motivator, the mere fact that mega-corporates are using the cover of inflation to drive prices as high as they can take them surely indicates they are not bothered by the consequences for current leadership.
Let’s start with the Uber-rich Jeff Bezos raising the annual cost of Amazon Prime by $20 bucks while recording record profits.
Annette, Considering that, so far, there hasn’t been any blow-back, I imagine we should expect more of the same.
Bingo! The other piece is that a deceptive term, "Decade-long Inflation", was tossed to the investing public, yesterday, during the min-selloff that followed the inflation report. NO economic trend lasts for a decade, especially in a time of global flux.
Gary, Agreed. Though I understand corporates are indicating to investors to expect record-breaking profits again next quarter and, furthermore, are messaging that they’re just getting started.
Not to mention the supply chain disruptions from the protests along the US/Canadian border fueled in part by a Christian fund-raising platform based in the US.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/11/world/canada-trucker-protest/ontario-officials-seek-help-from-the-courts-to-disperse-protesters
Kathy, Though I wasn’t aware the protesters were partially funded by a U.S. Christian funding source, it helps explain why these anti-vaccine mandate trucker protesters would oppose measures that are quite popular both in Canada and within Canada’s largest trucker’s union that denounced the protests.
Amen to this. Not only are CEO's using inflation as cover to drive up prices, they continue to receive excessive compensation with boards routinely and absurdly increasing direct compensation and stock option benefits, etc. We must address this as we listen to media inflation reports and turning a blind eye to price gauging.
John, Agreed. Additionally, you might recall late last year some savage sell-offs for companies that chose not to raise prices as high as they could have raised them.
Barbara Jo, actually I was not aware of companies doing so. Can you reference that bit of news I missed? Regardless, it does speak to how we cannot condemn broadly but must address the the inequity and injustice which so hampers our country’s value to lift everyone or, at least provide equal opportunity. Thank you.
John, Frankly, I was writing from memory. Nonetheless, my chief source, for some time, has been Robert Reich’s Substack.
No problem. Thanks
From today’ NYT’s Dealbook:
“It’s going to be a pretty healthy pricing year to accommodate the cost increases.” — Hugh Johnston, the C.F.O. of PepsiCo
“We are expecting double-digit inflation in 2022, and the bulk of it is market-driven.” — Amit Banati, the C.F.O. of Kellogg
Appears that rather that trying to control inflation, many companies will take advantage of this moment to raise prices thereby adding to the upward pressure.
At the same time, I think those companies that continue to fund Republicans will use this opportunity to further destabilize the economy in an effort to take back the House and Senate this year.
As much as I don’t want the Feds to raise rates, the sooner they take action to cool the economy, the better.
Andrew, Here I would note that former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich opposes slowing the economy. The “medicines” he suggests include price controls, windfall profits taxes, and antitrust.
Yes, I read DealBook, too. Ugh.
I was disappointed in Mueller. Garland is too much for any one liberal to take. The hypocrisy, no matter how extreme, doesn't bother the GOP, and the people we hoped would save us are sitting on their hands. It goes to show how one weak link can dash hopes. Who will save America from our domestic enemies?
When is your book coming out, Robert? May I offer title suggestions?
1. The Toilet Papers
2. I Can Shoot a Man on Fifth Avenue and Get Away with It
3. How I Saved America While Sitting on the Crapper
4. The Toilet Crapper Capper
Please, more suggestions. And any responses I ask permission in advance to use in a possible satire in The Funny Times. (I’m getting my Trump writer’s block lifted.)
How about “ Flushed with Corruption “
That’s it. Robert’s future book, “Flushed with Corruption.” Lol.
Literally, I thought the boxes of papers to Mar-a-Lago was a Borowitz story along with the clogging toilets with papers. We are now accepting insanity. Are there no clear lines? Are we so exhausted, demoralized, numb? Five alarm fire is right.
The Onion has now closed up shop. (Not really. At least not as far as I know.)
The alarm has been going off for quite a while and it seems clear that, despite numerous investigations, nothing is being brought to a head. Garland needs to take some action or admit that he's not the person for the job and step down.
It is past time for Mr. Garland to step down or be removed. People don’t have confidence in him to hold the seditious insurrection it’s in chief accountable. Why should the little guys get charged and jailed and tfg and his henchmen walk free? We have never had a mob boss for a president before. The Republicans have thrown out all previous rules and norms. ENOUGH ALREADY!!! Investigate , bring charges, clear the orange putrescence or not. But damn it! Don’t just sit there.
Unless there's something afoot behind the scenes that will make up for this lackluster performance soon, I'd have to agree with you. The guy may or may not have been a good pick for SCOTUS, but some people end up in positions that are beyond their skills to deliver the goods from, no matter how well intentioned they may be. We're trying to put out this 5-alarm conflagration with a fire extinguisher at this point, and that's just not gonna' cut it!
The political variation of Parkinson's Law.
Yeah, what we need is more work done in less time. If Mr. Garland, a seemingly earnest and decent sort, isn't capable of or willing to do that, he should be thanked for his efforts, and then given the boot in favor of someone more suited to present day challenges and needs.
More idiocy! Who besides a T——p is dumb enough to flush office paper down the toilet? I guess none of them has ever had to unclog one, or worry about paying the plumber’s bill. On another note, I am more and more mystified by the DOJ, which seems to be in thrall to the Death Eaters. We may have to add that agency to the Congress, The Supreme Court, and the DOD as agencies in need of reform.
"May have to"? Garland was supposed to be the reformer.
As concerning as Trump’s complete disregard for requirements under the Presidential Records Act and lack of concern for common security of information passing through his office, Do Not Be Distracted by this from far more serious offenses. Under most administrations these would be grievous offenses. However, compared to the far more serious offenses committed by Trump, his close advisors and associates, and his administration this is comparable to simply bad table manners. Deflecting attention from more serious matters has long been a common tactic of DJT. Let’s keep the attention on what really matters and the far more serious offense of his efforts to overturn the results of a legitimate election, prevent the peaceful transition of power to a legitimately elected new administration, and his attempts not just to undermine but end our democracy.
Hi, Bruce you are right . . . Except that the public understands what it means to flush paper down a toilet. It screams guilt and it proves that Trump has never lifted a finger in his life to deal with the problems of life that many people face -- like clogged toilets. Despite the humor, a plumbing bill for unclogging a sewer line can be the difference between paying rent (or not) for many people.
So while I agree that Trump should be prosecuted NOW for extorting Urkraine, many people will parse words about what Trump said to Zelensky. There is no defense to putting documents in a toilet. So, if the public understands it, we should use it for all it is worth. In fact, I hope late night comedians, and the Onion, Borowitz, and meme generators across the globe are working overtime to make Trump seem like a clown who doesn't understand how toilets work.
OK, but please let's not forget the really important stuff. Section 3 of the 14th amendment does not provide for the prevention forever of holding any public office ever simply for clogging a toilet while attempting to flush documents that should have been retained by the National Archives, even if they were marked "top secret."
Keeping the list of serious offenses in priority order is damn hard. But you remind us the Orange Team is skilled at diversion.
As with all things Trump, whatever we think we know, it always turns out to be worse. And Garland's actions - or lack of them - are an infuriating mystery to me at this point. I realize Biden can't ( well, he shouldn't and, unlike Trump, he won't) dial him up and say "Sick 'em". But come on! The DOJ under Democratic leadership is at this point leaving me with the same impression as I have of the Democratic Party as a whole...butter knife / gunfight. I hope something serious is going on there behind the scenes that will be revealed in time, but time is running out.
Infuriating is the right word. Trump must be brought to justice for his many crimes.
Trump toilets at the Queens NY home of his youth were probably filled with D- school work.
Garland, in an effort to do the opposite of his predecessor, wants to prevent the DOJ from the appearance of being politicized. That's just laughable on its face.
As you and others have repeatedly noted, allowing the orange scofflaw and his tribe of deplorables to continue their criminal behavior, or hide their past criminality, only encourages them. And as I said yesterday, it's time to drown the White House in calls, emails and postcards demanding that Biden either light a fire under Garland's pathetic ass or replace him with someone who, as you said, will do the job. Let's get busy, and tell everyone we know to do the same.
It is time—past time—for the DOJ to say whether it is investigating T___p for crimes. The Department owes that to the American people, and to TFG.
And it was a very, very good thing that Congress has moved to bar forced arbitration of sexual harassment cases. As a lawyer who represents employees in discrimination case, I can say that forced arbitration is a terrible impediment to equality in the workplace, and to justice. But now that one class of such cases has been barred to forced arbitration, we need to press Congress to preclude it for all other disputes (apart from those involving collective bargaining).
I propose this simple question to Tя☭mp the next time he is interviewed by any journalist.
“Please share with us the last book you read and your thoughts on the author’s main point in the book.”
I sincerely doubt Trump actually read himself almost anything that reached his desk unless it was an article complimentary to him. The man is close to being functionally illiterate. RUKM?
Why hasn’t Biden called Garland into the Oval Office for a behind-closed-doors “come to Jesus” meeting? He appointed the Attorney General—can’t he fire him? (It’s not like presidents have never dumped their AGs.) Adam Schiff was my dream AG appointment—Should’a, would’a, could’a.
Sadly, I think the better course is to fire Garland. Telling him what to do in particular cases crosses a line.
I think the best course of action would be for Garland to share with the American people whether Trump and others are under investigation for crimes or not. It may not be appropriate to indicate at this time the specific crimes or not, just let us know something it happening. The most appropriate way to do this would be to announce the formation of a special grand jury to hear evidence and consider indictments. That process would be, as are all Grand Juries secret until an indictment is rendered. However, at least we would know that there is an active investigation and charges are at least being considered. I personally would also favor the appointment of a Special Counsel as well for the case. This is similar to what Bill Barr did when he appointed John Durham to investigate the Mueller Russian Probe. The protection afforded a Special Counsel could potentially protect the investigation's duration should there be a change of administration before the investigation is completed.
In normal times, there is no question that the president should not meddle in particular cases. But these are not normal times. Democracy is at stake. Trump never hesitated to tell Barr what to do. We face a ruthless adversary that has no principles. They are talking about impeaching Biden and jailing Hillary Clinton and Adam Schiff. We need to fight fire with fire.
Whatever it takes. . .
Yes! Ultimately, the responsibility falls on Biden. Garland works for Biden. If Garland won't act, Biden needs to move him to act or replace him.
Why not mention to your readers that they can write the DOJ about its inaction? That they can write Biden about it? I’ve just written both. Time to make our voices heard.
The only thing we can do is pressure Biden to fire Garland. So writing to Biden is the right thing to do. but let's acknowledge that Biden probably won't be able to get another AG through Congress anytime soon. Lujan is out for another month, and Manchin / Sinema have now revealed themselves to be DINOs. So finding a replacment will be tough.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/unvarnished-truth-inflation I believe that democrats need to be sharing these factors.
Yes, Heidi. I should have mentioned the factors mentioned in the link. I will do so next time I discuss inflation.
Thank you, Robert, for the link to "Brave Sir Robin" and moment of laughter to help keep us sane during these insane times!
I need to do something to keep myself sane!